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             NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA (QUEENSLAND)
         LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA (QUEENSLAND DIVISION)
                         (the �Coalition�)

                CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENT POLICY

GOAL

Our  ultimate goal is to protect the environment so  that  we  can
improve  the standard of living and the freedom of individuals  in
Queensland and Australia, both now and for future generations, and
make a positive contribution to the biosphere.

PREAMBLE

The   Coalition   recognises  the  complexity   of   environmental
management particularly under circumstances of continuing change.
�Change� can be both beneficial and detrimental.  The objective of
any  policy should be to manage  �changes� to ensure an increasing
standard of living and the enhancement of quality of life for  all
Queenslanders, whilst at the same time, ensuring that this is done
in an environmentally sustainable way.
The  beneficial  changes include the changes in  technology  which
improve  the way that environmental requirements are managed.  The
most  significant detrimental change comes through the  increasing
demands imposed on the environment
In  order  to minimise the demands made on the environment  it  is
essential  that  each and every person in the community  accept  a
level  of  responsibility for their use  of  the  environment.  No
amount  of  policing or penalties can substitute for  a  committed
personal responsibility.  (However, it is accepted that a residual
penalty power must be available.)
Education is an essential component of this approach to the future
management of environmental responsibilities.
To  this  end  it  will be necessary to continue to  heighten  the
awareness  of the community both generally and through  trade  and
industry  organisations.  The importance  of  the  involvement  of
industry  organisations is recognised and their  participation  in
the  development  of  Codes of Practice for  their  industries  is
essential to environmental well being.
Encouraging  the  use of new technology as it is  developed  is  a
necessary part of the ongoing protection of the environment.  Each
day  we see innovations developed that are later trialled, refined
and,  if  appropriate,  applied. This  new  technology  gives  the
opportunity     of    meeting    ongoing    daily    environmental
responsibilities and allows the undertaking of remedial action for
situations that have been created in the past.
The  implementation of this philosophy involves a  high  level  of
public participation and awareness if people are to recognise  and
accept  their  environmental responsibility as their  duty.   This
relates to  the disposal of waste and the protection of endangered
species or ecosystems.
Involved in the implementation of this philosophy is a high  level
of  public  and  private  industry involvement.  It  is  extremely
difficult  and expensive for just the administering  authority  to
stay at the �sharp end� of all practical aspects of technology  at
all times.  Private enterprise can assist by way of specialisation
within  a particular field by efficient management to deliver  the
most desirable results more effectively.
Whilst  the responsibility of the administering authority  is  not
diminished  under this philosophy, it does allow the authority  to
direct  efforts towards audit and process improvement which  would
result in a better environment for all.
This  philosophy  is applicable to the majority  of  circumstances
that  prevail  with the environment, whether these  be  issues  of
either the �brown� or �green� categories.
It  is recognised that the environment and the conservation status
of   Queensland  is  relevant  to  the  tourism  industry.  To  be
considered  �clean  and green� by the rest of the  world  in  both
production and conservation is a substantial economic benefit.  An
investment in the environment is an investment for both  the  long
and short term.
For  these  and aesthetic reasons, the commitment of the Coalition
to   the   protection  and  enhancement  of  the  environment   is
unqualified for now and for succeeding generations.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this policy are:
�      To   maintain  the  biological  diversity  of  Queensland's
    environment  and improve the protection   of the  natural  and
    cultural environment.
�    To minimise the pollution of the land, air, soil and water.
�     To promote understanding in the community and government  of
    the  interactions  between land, water and related  biological
    resources.
�     To  foster  the co-ordination of land, water and  vegetation
    management   activities   between  individuals,   landholders,
    communities, industry and Government agencies.
�    To improve the quality of life of all Queenslanders.

 PRINCIPLES

The strategic principles which need to be adopted to achieve these
goals and objectives are:
�     Ensure  that  legislation provides for the  conservation  of
   indigenous  flora and fauna and of strategic  areas  which  are
   essential to the sustainable use of our resources.
�     The integration of conservation and development to meet  the
   needs  of  the  present  generation,  to  create  jobs  without
   compromising  the ability of future generations to  meet  their
   needs.
�     The  economic  costs  and benefits of the  impact  of  human
   activities on the environment should be included in the planning
   and  approval  stages of all projects so that  they  become  an
   integral part of the development process.
�     The  education of all Queenslanders to be responsible at  an
   individual  level  for the maintenance of  ecosytems  in  land,
   freshwater and marine habitats.
�     The  facilitation  of  forums for  community,  industry  and
   government agencies to resolve the conflicting demands for natural
   resources.
�     The monitoring and regulation of pollution levels to achieve
   safe and acceptable air, soil and water quality.




ISSUES

Bio-diversity Protection
Responsible management of vegetation is the intrinsic  element  in
the long term viability of our soil and water. The curtailment  of
land  degradation  and  restoration of  damaged  land,  river  and
coastal  ecosystems are essential for the long term well being  of
this State.
To   increase  the  protection  of  ecosystem  diversity,  species
diversity and genetic diversity, the co-ordination of conservation
policies will be strengthened.

Measures to achieve greater protection of bio-diversity within the
State include:
�    Defining areas of significant bio-diversity in Queensland and
   continue  vegetation  mapping in  order  to  refine  the  areas
   identified.
�      Developing  and  implement  a  strategic  program  for  the
   acquisition or reservation of areas with bio-diversity values.
�     Promoting  by way of co-operation bio-diversity conservation
   on private lands, where possible under conservation agreements.
�      Maintaining  ecologically  sustainable  forest   management
   guidelines for the protected area estate and to provide advice to
   other agencies with similar type tenures.
�     Reviewing  and revise the research component of conservation
   programs to ensure the compatibility and usefulness of data bank
   material.
�     Co-operating  with the National Heritage  Trust  Program  to
   ensure  strategic nature conservation outcomes for  vegetation,
   wetlands, the national reserve system and endangered species.

Landcare and Integrated Catchment Management
The Coalition:
�     Recognises the outstanding contribution of community groups,
   Landcare  groups and Integrated Catchment Management throughout
   Queensland.
�     Will  continue  to support such groups and will  assist  the
   National Vegetation Initiative to ensure that the rate of native
   vegetation re-establishment is maximised.

Feral Animals
The damage done by feral animals particularly in national parks is
a  major threat to land and to the survival of many unique  native
species.
The  Coalition will vigorously pursue appropriate programs for the
control  and/or  eradication of feral animals. The  programs  used
will be both safe and certain.

Exotic Plants
There  are  many plants which have been introduced into  Australia
and  have  become pests. These pose a major threat to the survival
of  many  of  unique native species, particularly within  national
parks and waterways.
The  Coalition will vigorously pursue appropriate programs for the
control and/or eradication of those pests. The programs used  will
be both safe and certain.

National Tree Programs
The  planting of trees is one of the most important strategies  to
be  pursued  in response to soil conservation and land degradation
problems.
The  Coalition  fully supports a realistic national  tree  program
emphasising  greater planting of Australian native vegetation.  In
this  these endeavours, local government, voluntary and  community
groups have a vital role to play, and this role will be encouraged
and supported.

Recreation and Open Space Management
Recreation and open space management areas are vital for the  well
being of Queensland and these areas need to be carefully nurtured.
The Coalition will work with local government and the community to
identify  and  conserve significant local and inter-regional  open
space corridors.

Water Management
The   Coalition  will  develop  programs  designed  to  meet   the
conservation, irrigation, drainage and water supply needs  of  the
State.

The Coalition will continue:
�     The  management,  conservation and rehabilitation  of  river
   systems on an integrated catchment basis.
�    The recognition of the high cost of the effects of increasing
   salinity.
�     Water conservation practices and public education campaigns,
   such as the �Waterwise� campaign.

Water Quality
The  Coalition  recognises that water of the  highest  quality  is
important to all Queenslanders. To this end, efforts will continue
to be directed to the conservation and rehabilitation of  waterway
systems.

Initiatives to enhance and protect water quality:
�     Further  developing the concepts of artificial wetlands  and
   overland drainage lines to improve water quality.
�    Continue support for research workgroups such as the Brisbane
   River Moreton Bay Wastewater Management Strategy to effectively
   identify problems and design programs for enhancement of  water
   quality.
�     Continue  to  assist local authorities  to  undertake  water
   quality monitoring programs.

Habitat Protection
Priority  will  be given to the identification of  unique  habitat
areas which are determined as being in need of protection.

The Coalition will ensure that:
�     Our national park program will have, as one of its principal
   foci,  the protection and preservation of genetic diversity  of
   flora and fauna.
�     Habitat protection will, as a matter of course, be run  with
   the stated bio-diversity objectives.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
In  the application of environmental management processes (licence
application,  issuance etc) the Coalition will give  attention  to
developing  systems  that  are  practical  involving   the   least
additional administrative effort by business and users generally.
Emphasis  will be given to compliance with environmental standards
by  way of guidance and co-operation with enforcement action being
used as a last resort.

Environment and Economic Impact
The   Coalition  believes  that  all  environmental  and  economic
questions  involved  in any proposed major development  should  be
subject  to  open, full and public examination at an early  stage,
thus enabling informed decision making and allowing the public  to
make  informed judgments about the decisions. There will  be  full
cooperation  with  the  Commonwealth to  ensure  that  where  both
governments  have  an  interest, only a single  Environmental  and
Economic Impact Study will be required.

Environment and Mining
The mining industry is a small user of land, however its impact on
the  natural  environment  can be significant.  It  is  important,
therefore,  that this industry continue to operate at  responsible
standards of environmental management. Mining operations must  act
within  strict  guidelines  designed to  minimise  damage  to  the
natural   environment  and  include  rehabilitation  as  soon   as
practicable when mining operations cease.

The Coalition will:
�     Continue to work with all relevant agencies so that the land
   is rehabilitated with sensitivity to habitat values.
�     Explore  ways  of  working  more  closely  with  the  mining
   industry.
�     Continue  to require mining operations to act within  strict
   guidelines to minimise damage.
�    Support the introduction of Environmental Protection Policies
   for Mining and Petroleum.

Environment and the Market
There  is an increasing recognition of the role which the  private
sector  has  to  play  in  achieving  protection  of  the  natural
environment.
The  Coalition  will  pursue the full range  of  opportunities  to
utilise  the  expertise  of  the  private  sector  to  secure  the
protection of the natural environment.

Heritage
The  Coalition  recognises the need for the  preservation  of  the
heritage of all Queenslanders in relation to both the natural  and
built environments.
�     Further  review the Queensland Heritage Act and the Cultural
   Records (Landscapes Queensland and Queensland) Act 1987 to improve
   the protection of our heritage.
�     Continue to provide support and assistance to the Queensland
   Heritage  Council to ensure a fair and equitable assessment  of
   heritage matters.
�     Support the Queensland Heritage Inventory of Places database
   so that planning can be integrated with information.
�     To  ensure  that  all applications for heritage  listing  of
   property and places are well researched and that property owners
   are part of the listing process.

Biotechnology
The  Coalition  supports the establishment of a national  advisory
body  to  monitor  developments  in  biotechnology  and  establish
control  mechanisms  to  avoid  biotechnological  threats  to  the
natural environment and the survival of flora and fauna.

Greenhouse Strategy/Global Warming
The  Coalition understands the potential impacts of global warning
on  the  environment  and ecosystems and advocates  strategies  to
reduce  consumption of energy and minimise greenhouse  gases.  The
Coalition  supports  the phasing out of dangerous  ozone  reducing
gases.

The Coalition will:
�    Work with the Commonwealth to reduce greenhouse gases as part
   of the NGRS (National Greenhouse Response Strategy).
�    Research and implement programs which promote further the use
   of energy efficient design and of technologies that use renewable
   forms of energy.
�     Explore  ways  of  encouraging a state-wide  strategy  which
   minimises  energy use across all levels of government  and  the
   community.

The Great Barrier Reef
The Coalition:
�     Recognises  the significant of nature of the  Great  Barrier
   Reef and will continue to work closely with the Commonwealth to
   ensure responsible management of the Reef. It is recognised that
   this  unique World Heritage Area covers a very large  area  and
   presents challenges for more effective management.
�    Will further the public participation model of the GBR Marine
   Park  Authority  and recognise the continuing need  to  balance
   conservation with private enterprise development of Reef related
   tourism.
�     Consult with user groups more closely to derive better  ways
   for managing the Reef.
�      Continue   with  the  consultation  processes  to   develop
   strategies for the management of the islands of the Great Barrier
   Reef.
�     Continue  to  refine  the  program accompanying  the  Dugong
   Protected Areas to ensure that this species in the southern part
   of the Great Barrier Reef is able to survive.

Wetlands Management
Wetlands  occur in every landscape and provide a range of  natural
functions vital to functioning ecosystems and therefore to people.





The Coalition:
�    Recognises the importance of wetlands in flood mitigation, in
   the prevention of erosion, and in ground water recharge/discharge.
   In addition, they contribute to the enhancement of water quality
   in their biological functions, in their commercial functions such
   as fisheries, agriculture and forestry, and in their recreational,
   educational and archaeological significance.
�     Recognises the integral part played by mangroves in the food
   chain.
�     Maintains  that  the specific waterways  management  program
   within the Department of Environment to ensure Queensland�s water
   environment, its coasts, rivers, waterways and wetlands  remain
   viable and healthy be continued. This program will be managed in
   collaboration  with  local communities,  local  government  and
   industry.
�    Acknowledges that improved management practices in urban and
rural areas and increased community involvement and public
awareness will lead to enhanced waterways. Waterway amenity will
be restored to allow for safer recreational use, and water supply
security will be enhanced to provide for the needs of agriculture,
industry and urban growth.
�     Continues to give recognition and management to Queensland's
   Ramsar designated wetlands.
�     Continues  to  build  on the program to  identify,  map  and
   protect  wetlands  on a co-ordinated basis  in  Queensland  and
   finalise a Wetlands Policy for their protection.
�    Recognises the need to improve the co-ordination of community
   and government programs to protect these vital places and design
   practical  mechanisms to manage wetlands at  the  State,  river
   catchment and local levels.
�     Continues  to  fund  local  authorities  to  upgrade  sewage
   treatment plants so that eventually no effluent will be released
   into natural water bodies other than by design for irrigation or
   another reuse purpose.

The Coalition recognises the need to:
�    Educate the community on the values of wetlands.
�     Explore opportunities to undertake ecotourism activities  in
   wetland areas.
�     Integrate  these  management opportunities  into  government
   planning schemes, industry policies, and property planning.
�     Ensure coordination of resources and activities that  affect
   wetland values.
�    Supports the establishment of a strategy for the control,
use, protection and rehabilitation of our wetlands, particularly
inland wetlands, including research into potential threats.

Coastal Zone and Marine Environment
The Coalition:
�     Recognises  the fragile nature of the coastal zone  and  the
   need  to  integrate  the management of  this  area  to  resolve
   conflicting demands, protect key sites and stop pollution  from
   land based sources.

National Gene Bank
The Coalition:
�     Recognises  the  need to preserve genetic diversity  in  our
   native flora and fauna and the threat which is posed by extinction
   to this diversity.
�     Supports the establishment of a National Gene Bank of  flora
   and fauna, giving priority to those species designated as being
   under threat.
�     Will  continue to support the work of the Centre for Genetic
   Resources and Heritage at the University of Queensland.

National Parks
The  primary  responsibility for the creation and  maintenance  of
National  Parks lies entirely with the State. National Parks  will
be   managed   in  accordance  with  the  highest   standards   of
environmental  protection, and conservation will  be  the  primary
element of any multiple land use policy established.

The Coalition will undertake a rationalisation of the nomenclature
used in relation to National Parks and similar reserves.

The  Coalition suggests that declaration of National Parks  should
occur for one or more of the following reasons:
�        To preserve as wide a gene pool and bio-diversity of both
   native flora and fauna as is     possible.
�        To  preserve  for aesthetic reasons areas of  outstanding
   natural beauty and of scientific value.
�         To  preserve  for  posterity  areas  of  historical  and
   cultural significance
�       To preserve areas for recreational purposes.

The Coalition will facilitate development of National Parks by:
�          Development   and   implementation   of   a   plan   to
   comprehensively upgrade protected area     management throughout
   the State.
�        Continuing  with  the  Youth Conservation  Corps  program
   under the title Pathways to Youth     Employment.
�         Providing  training  for under  the  Youth  Conservation
    Corps program for unemployed and  disadvantaged youth.
�         Continuing   with   the   program   of   National   Park
   Infrastructure Improvement.

Non Government Organisations [NGO�s]
The Coalition:
�     Recognises that NGO�s and other voluntary organisations  can
   and do play a significant part in achieving desired objectives for
   the protection of the environment.
�     Will  continue  to  make grants to appropriate,  responsible
   organisations for bona fide environmental purposes.



Waste Disposal
The  monitoring and inspection of waste disposal and discharge are
considered essential to ensuring pollution is minimised. Potential
exists  for  further areas of product recycling and the  Coalition
will  ensure that these areas are encouraged through policies that
act as incentives to industry.
Particular   attention  will  be  given   to   the   storage   and
transportation  of  hazardous chemicals and waste  to  ensure  the
safety of humans and to the environment is given priority.

Sewage
The Coalition recognises that sewage is a valuable resource.

The Coalition will:
�     Continue  the program of assistance to local authorities  to
   upgrade sewage treatment plants
�     Increase funding to examine methods for the re-use of sewage
   effluent and waste water, and the design of guidelines which can
   direct this program.

Trade of Native Flora and Fauna
The Coalition:
�     Supports the controlled harvesting of native flora and fauna
   within guidelines established to ensure proper standards of care
   and handling.
�     Condemns the illicit trade and sale of our unique flora  and
   fauna.
�     Will develop strategies to minimise these activities and  at
   the same time create income and/or other benefits which can  be
   used to further protect and conserve the natural environment.
�     Supports  the  continuation of the Endangered  Species  Unit
   within the National Parks and Wildlife Service responsible  for
   advising  Government on the status of and threat to  endangered
   species  of  flora  and  fauna  and  their  habitats  including
   terrestrial and marine environments.
�    Will co-operate with the Commonwealth Government to ensure
that Australian producers of native flora-products are given every
opportunity to compete in the international market place.
�     Will  continue  the management of the kangaroo  industry  to
   ensure that the resource is conserved and Queensland operators are
   able to compete on an equitable basis. The present system of quota
   setting and controlled management of kangaroos will continue to be
   maintained  through  a system of licensed  shooters  adequately
   policed  by the appropriate a authorities, using improved  data
   collection techniques on population numbers and dynamics.
�     Supports  the controlled export of native fauna  only  where
   adequate  safeguards  are  in place in  respect  of  transport,
   accommodation and maintenance of the species.
�     Recognises the damage done to crops and properties  by  some
   species  of native birds and will encourage research into  more
   effective methods of control and minimisation of loss and damage.
AUTHORISED BY Ken Crooke 44 Brookes Street Bowen Hills 4006




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